The school summer holidays may only just have begun but if you are a cruise fan, now is the time to start thinking about Christmas.
The cruise companies are already tempting passengers with a range of special deals – whether you prefer a blast of December sunshine in the Caribbean or have time for a longer voyage.
The family-focused Ventura sails from Barbados for 14 nights on December 21. Father Christmas will abseil down the funnel on December 25. The fare is from £2,779 per person, including flights from Birmingham, Manchester or Gatwick, with P&O (0843 3740111, www.pocruises.co.uk).
If you love theme parks, start your holiday with three nights at a hotel in Orlando, Florida, before joining Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas for an eight-night cruise from Fort Lauderdale. Departure is on December 21 and the fly-stay-cruise package costs from £1,929pp with Virgin Holidays (0844 5734398, www.virginholidayscruises.co.uk).
You could also be sea-kayaking and snorkelling from a beach in Roatan, Honduras, on Christmas Day, or viewing the reef in a semi-submarine. Those are just two of 55 free excursions available on a ten-night cruise aboard Seven Seas Navigator (02380 682280, www.rssc.com), sailing from Miami on December 18. The ship sails to Key West and the Caribbean coasts of Honduras, Mexico, Guatemala and Belize. The all-inclusive price, from £3,809pp, covers flights and open bars.
Further afield, an adults-only Mysteries Of The Indian Ocean cruise with Swan Hellenic (0844 8220679, www.swanhellenic.com), sailing from Sri Lanka to Singapore, will spend Christmas Day at sea between the Andaman Islands and Rangoon. The 16-night cruise, leaving on December 19, costs from £2,010pp including flights and excursions.
Why not spend Christmas heading round Cape Horn from the Atlantic to the Pacific? A 17-night cruise on Oceania's Marina sails from Rio de Janeiro on December 10, heading down the coast of Argentina and up the coast of Chile with Christmas Day at sea. The cost is from £2,792pp including flights (0845 5051920, www.oceaniacruises.com).
You can even get in on the act if you like a walk at Christmas, with a no-fly, two-week Ramblers 'cruise and walk' holiday aboard Fred Olsen's Balmoral. It leaves on a round trip to the Canary Islands from Southampton on December 22. After three days at sea with a traditional Christmas on board, your first guided walk is on Madeira and there are hikes on La Palma, Tenerife and Gran Canaria, and in Lisbon and Oporto. The cost is from £1,849pp (01707 386767, www.cruiseandwalk.co.uk).
For a bit more glitz, head to the Med on Divina, MSC's newest ship, launched this year. The 11-night cruise, a round trip from Genoa, calls at Barcelona, Casablanca, Madeira and Tenerife. On Christmas morning you'll wake up in Malaga. The cost is from £849pp including flights (0844 561 1955,
Looking for the latest FABCruise offers on a wide range of cruise holidays let FABTHINGS2do help you.
Showing posts with label Fred Olsen Cruises. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fred Olsen Cruises. Show all posts
Monday, 30 July 2012
Sunday, 22 July 2012
Fred Olsen Becomes Latest Line to Launch Price Promise
The Fred. Olsen Price Pledge means that if the price of the cruise is reduced for the cabin grade booked, Fred. Olsen will refund the difference through one or a combination of measures - a cabin upgrade, onboard credit (O.B.C.), or a cash refund.
The price pledge is applicable on bookings made from today (July 20th, 2012) to September 30th 2012, and applies to all sailings departing on or after April 6th, 2013 and which are featured in the current 2013/14 Worldwide Cruises brochure, except for the world cruises.
The moves follows that of Carnival, which introduced an Early Saver Promise into the U.K. market for the first time earlier this year; and P&O and Cunard, which both introduced Vantage Fares this week. Saga Cruises was in fact the first line to have an early booking promise, and has had this available to passengers for the past three years. Like P&O and Cunard's Vantage Fares, Saga's early price promise allows you to choose your cabin and if the price of a cruise is reduced - even for a day - the line contacts you and offers a reimbursement, again either in the form of O.B.C, an upgrade or refund.
Fred. Olsen has confirmed it will contact all guests entitled to refunds or upgrades before the cruise departure date to advise them of how they have benefitted.
Nathan Philpot, Sales and Marketing Director for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “We want to offer our guests the best possible deal on their cruise with us, and by booking early with the Fred. Olsen Price Pledge, they will have the peace of mind that, should the cruise price reduce, then we will make up the difference, whilst they will be able to secure the best choice of cruise and cabins.”
The line also confirmed it will offer more ‘all-inclusive' cruises. The move follows a trial period with four limited-availability itineraries. The all-inclusive offers, which include drinks, but not tips, will now be extended to all cruise departures on or after April 6th, 2013 and featured in its current 2013/14 Worldwide Cruises brochure, for bookings before September 30th, 2012. The offer also excludes the world cruises and is limited to the first 100 bookings per sailing taken between now and the end of September 2012. The deal will also be added to all applicable bookings retrospectively.
Looking for the latest FABCruise offers on a wide range of cruise holidays let FABTHINGS2do help you.
The price pledge is applicable on bookings made from today (July 20th, 2012) to September 30th 2012, and applies to all sailings departing on or after April 6th, 2013 and which are featured in the current 2013/14 Worldwide Cruises brochure, except for the world cruises.
The moves follows that of Carnival, which introduced an Early Saver Promise into the U.K. market for the first time earlier this year; and P&O and Cunard, which both introduced Vantage Fares this week. Saga Cruises was in fact the first line to have an early booking promise, and has had this available to passengers for the past three years. Like P&O and Cunard's Vantage Fares, Saga's early price promise allows you to choose your cabin and if the price of a cruise is reduced - even for a day - the line contacts you and offers a reimbursement, again either in the form of O.B.C, an upgrade or refund.
Fred. Olsen has confirmed it will contact all guests entitled to refunds or upgrades before the cruise departure date to advise them of how they have benefitted.
Nathan Philpot, Sales and Marketing Director for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “We want to offer our guests the best possible deal on their cruise with us, and by booking early with the Fred. Olsen Price Pledge, they will have the peace of mind that, should the cruise price reduce, then we will make up the difference, whilst they will be able to secure the best choice of cruise and cabins.”
The line also confirmed it will offer more ‘all-inclusive' cruises. The move follows a trial period with four limited-availability itineraries. The all-inclusive offers, which include drinks, but not tips, will now be extended to all cruise departures on or after April 6th, 2013 and featured in its current 2013/14 Worldwide Cruises brochure, for bookings before September 30th, 2012. The offer also excludes the world cruises and is limited to the first 100 bookings per sailing taken between now and the end of September 2012. The deal will also be added to all applicable bookings retrospectively.
Looking for the latest FABCruise offers on a wide range of cruise holidays let FABTHINGS2do help you.
Thursday, 14 June 2012
Cruise lines under fire for high internet fees
Ocean-going cruise lines are facing growing criticism over the high charges they impose on passengers for internet access.
Despite the fact that many cruise companies pride themselves on offering an all-inclusive holiday experience, and with free internet becoming increasingly common in hotels, bars and even fast-food restaurants, research by Telegraph Travel has revealed that every major cruise line is still charging for internet and Wi-Fi access – with rates as high as £37.85 for a single hour's browsing.
More than 20 cruise lines were analysed in the study. Regent Seven Seas had the highest fees. The company charges a "pay as you go" rate of $0.95 (59p) per minute, or $57 (£35.40) an hour, in addition to a one-off "activation fee" of $3.95 (£2.45). Alternatively, passengers can opt for a $600 (£373) bill for 20 hours of browsing.
Celebrity Cruises, Cunard, NCL and P & O were also found to impose some of the highest fees. Celebrity charges passengers $24.95 (£15.50) for 38 minutes' access, or 41p per minute; Cunard charges $0.75 (47p) per minute, or $47.95 (£29.80) for two hours' access; NCL charges $0.75 (47p) per minute, or $55 (£34.20) for 100 minutes' usage. P & O charges 50p per minute or £35 for 100 minutes' access; its charge to send a single email is £2.50.
Four hours of internet browsing on an Azamara Cruises ship will cost holidaymakers $99.95 (£62) – marginally more expensive than on Carnival Cruise Lines, which charges $89 (£55) for the same amount of web time.
The cheapest pay-as-you-go access was 20p per minute, offered by Fred Olsen, while Paul Gauguin Cruises offers some of the best-value packages, with 250 minutes' access costing $0.25 (16p) per minute – although the line does charge an activation fee of £2.45.
Several Cruise clients commented on the issue via Telegraph Travel who undertook the research into internet charges onboard cruise ships to express frustration at the charges, with some criticising the speed and reliability of the internet access they have paid handsomely for.
"The cost of accessing the internet was so overpriced it wasn't worth it," said Geoff Hebden, 58, from Ipswich, who took a P & O cruise last year. "And yet small businesses, bars and cafés across the world offer it free – it's ridiculous."
Cruise lines defend their charges by citing the high cost of providing the service – internet access at sea is delivered using satellite communication, making it dearer than the same service on land.
"The cost of providing internet access from the middle of the ocean is expensive," said Graham Sadler, managing director of Regent Seven Seas. "As a luxury cruise brand we choose a fast speed, which may be reflected in the charges – but the quicker download speed means it may eventually become cheaper."
In contrast to ocean-going cruise lines, several river cruise companies – including Scenic Tours, Viking and AmaWaterways – do not charge for internet access.
Irish Ferries, which operates services between Ireland and the United Kingdom and France, does not charge, either, even though it uses satellite communication to provide the service.
A spokesman for the company said that it could not say how much it spent on providing passengers with the service, as it could not "separate out the cost of providing free Wi-Fi from [the cost of maintaining its existing] satellite equipment".
Looking for the latest FABCruise offers on a wide range of cruise holidays let FABTHINGS2do help you.
Despite the fact that many cruise companies pride themselves on offering an all-inclusive holiday experience, and with free internet becoming increasingly common in hotels, bars and even fast-food restaurants, research by Telegraph Travel has revealed that every major cruise line is still charging for internet and Wi-Fi access – with rates as high as £37.85 for a single hour's browsing.
More than 20 cruise lines were analysed in the study. Regent Seven Seas had the highest fees. The company charges a "pay as you go" rate of $0.95 (59p) per minute, or $57 (£35.40) an hour, in addition to a one-off "activation fee" of $3.95 (£2.45). Alternatively, passengers can opt for a $600 (£373) bill for 20 hours of browsing.
Celebrity Cruises, Cunard, NCL and P & O were also found to impose some of the highest fees. Celebrity charges passengers $24.95 (£15.50) for 38 minutes' access, or 41p per minute; Cunard charges $0.75 (47p) per minute, or $47.95 (£29.80) for two hours' access; NCL charges $0.75 (47p) per minute, or $55 (£34.20) for 100 minutes' usage. P & O charges 50p per minute or £35 for 100 minutes' access; its charge to send a single email is £2.50.
Four hours of internet browsing on an Azamara Cruises ship will cost holidaymakers $99.95 (£62) – marginally more expensive than on Carnival Cruise Lines, which charges $89 (£55) for the same amount of web time.
The cheapest pay-as-you-go access was 20p per minute, offered by Fred Olsen, while Paul Gauguin Cruises offers some of the best-value packages, with 250 minutes' access costing $0.25 (16p) per minute – although the line does charge an activation fee of £2.45.
Several Cruise clients commented on the issue via Telegraph Travel who undertook the research into internet charges onboard cruise ships to express frustration at the charges, with some criticising the speed and reliability of the internet access they have paid handsomely for.
"The cost of accessing the internet was so overpriced it wasn't worth it," said Geoff Hebden, 58, from Ipswich, who took a P & O cruise last year. "And yet small businesses, bars and cafés across the world offer it free – it's ridiculous."
Cruise lines defend their charges by citing the high cost of providing the service – internet access at sea is delivered using satellite communication, making it dearer than the same service on land.
"The cost of providing internet access from the middle of the ocean is expensive," said Graham Sadler, managing director of Regent Seven Seas. "As a luxury cruise brand we choose a fast speed, which may be reflected in the charges – but the quicker download speed means it may eventually become cheaper."
In contrast to ocean-going cruise lines, several river cruise companies – including Scenic Tours, Viking and AmaWaterways – do not charge for internet access.
Irish Ferries, which operates services between Ireland and the United Kingdom and France, does not charge, either, even though it uses satellite communication to provide the service.
A spokesman for the company said that it could not say how much it spent on providing passengers with the service, as it could not "separate out the cost of providing free Wi-Fi from [the cost of maintaining its existing] satellite equipment".
Looking for the latest FABCruise offers on a wide range of cruise holidays let FABTHINGS2do help you.
Tuesday, 22 May 2012
Noro-Like Illness Strikes Cruise Ship
Noro-Like Illness Strikes Ship, Affecting 20 Percent of Cruise Passengers.
A Norovirus-like outbreak on Fred. Olsen's Boudicca left a reported 170 of its 1,176 people (828 passengers, 348 crew) ill over the course of a 13-night cruise.
The report from United Kingdom's Daily Mail says the ship was greeted by National Health Service (NHS) staff and ambulance crews on Sunday (20/05/12) in Greenock, Scotland, where it concluded a Canary Islands and Portugal cruise.
Boudicca underwent an intensive fumigation Sunday before embarking on its next scheduled voyage (a 21-night Adriatic cruise) 90 minutes later than scheduled. The deep cleaning was overseen by local health authorities, including Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS.
In a statement, Fred. Olsen stated that no more than 35 people were "in isolation at any one time."
Still, according to the report by Scotland's Daily Record, an unnamed female passenger said "passengers were offered £150 discounts on their next cruise."
In spring 2010, the line cut short a cruise on Boudicca because of a suspected Norovirus outbreak, even though only six passengers remained in isolation at the time of the decision to do so.
Norovirus is the second most common illness next to the common cold and is highly contagious, spreading easily in confined spaces like hospitals, hotels, dormitories and cruise ships. Symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea, and millions are infected each year.
A Norovirus-like outbreak on Fred. Olsen's Boudicca left a reported 170 of its 1,176 people (828 passengers, 348 crew) ill over the course of a 13-night cruise.
The report from United Kingdom's Daily Mail says the ship was greeted by National Health Service (NHS) staff and ambulance crews on Sunday (20/05/12) in Greenock, Scotland, where it concluded a Canary Islands and Portugal cruise.
Boudicca underwent an intensive fumigation Sunday before embarking on its next scheduled voyage (a 21-night Adriatic cruise) 90 minutes later than scheduled. The deep cleaning was overseen by local health authorities, including Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS.
In a statement, Fred. Olsen stated that no more than 35 people were "in isolation at any one time."
Still, according to the report by Scotland's Daily Record, an unnamed female passenger said "passengers were offered £150 discounts on their next cruise."
In spring 2010, the line cut short a cruise on Boudicca because of a suspected Norovirus outbreak, even though only six passengers remained in isolation at the time of the decision to do so.
Norovirus is the second most common illness next to the common cold and is highly contagious, spreading easily in confined spaces like hospitals, hotels, dormitories and cruise ships. Symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea, and millions are infected each year.
Wednesday, 14 March 2012
Cruise to mark 100 Years of RMS Titanic
April 2012 will mark the 100th anniversary of the fateful voyage of RMS Titanic, world’s largest ship that sank into the North Atlantic Ocean after hitting the iceberg on April 15, 1912.
A cruise to tour the same route and auction several unseen artifacts on anniversary of the incident will take place this year.
The tragic incident is still etched in people's memories 100 years after and always will be. After almost a century, Bonhams will sell significant items recovered from the sunken ship in The Marine Sale on April 3, 2012, the British auction house reported.
The exhibition will feature the biggest collection of over 300 artifacts that have been raised from the seabed over the century, Reuters reported.
The artifacts, some of which have never been seen before, will be sold off as a single lot in the auction in April, timed for the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the famed ocean liner, the report said.
A cruise run by Fred Olsen Cruises, whose parent company Harland and Wolf built the Titanic, will tour the same route as that of the Titanic, carrying the same number of passengers to mark the anniversary of the unforgettable tragedy.
The "Balmoral" will carry 1,309 passengers and will cruise exactly the same route as Titanic, leaving Southampton before docking at the Irish port of Cobh, where the Titanic had made its final call on 11 April 1912
The ship will arrive at the same location where it hit the iceberg and a special memorial ceremony will be held at 11:40 p.m and 2:20 a.m on April 15, the day the vessel sank in 1912.
A cruise to tour the same route and auction several unseen artifacts on anniversary of the incident will take place this year.
The tragic incident is still etched in people's memories 100 years after and always will be. After almost a century, Bonhams will sell significant items recovered from the sunken ship in The Marine Sale on April 3, 2012, the British auction house reported.
The exhibition will feature the biggest collection of over 300 artifacts that have been raised from the seabed over the century, Reuters reported.
The artifacts, some of which have never been seen before, will be sold off as a single lot in the auction in April, timed for the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the famed ocean liner, the report said.
A cruise run by Fred Olsen Cruises, whose parent company Harland and Wolf built the Titanic, will tour the same route as that of the Titanic, carrying the same number of passengers to mark the anniversary of the unforgettable tragedy.
The "Balmoral" will carry 1,309 passengers and will cruise exactly the same route as Titanic, leaving Southampton before docking at the Irish port of Cobh, where the Titanic had made its final call on 11 April 1912
The ship will arrive at the same location where it hit the iceberg and a special memorial ceremony will be held at 11:40 p.m and 2:20 a.m on April 15, the day the vessel sank in 1912.
Friday, 28 December 2007
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines Balmoral Undergoes Refit
Balmoral, is the latest ship to join the Fred. Olsen fleet, she arrived in Hamburg at the Blohm + Voss Repair shipyard in November 2007, where a newly constructed mid-section will be inserted and a major refit undertaken before she begins her cruise programme from Dover in January 2008.
The Balmoral – formerly the Norwegian Crown - will be extended by 30.20 metres and the extra capacity will allow for an additional 186 passenger 53 new crew cabins. In addition, 60 new balconies will be added while public areas will be modified and new areas constructed.
Balmoral is scheduled to leave the shipyard on 18th January 2008 for sea trials and will be handed over to Fred. Olsen in Dover on 22nd January. She departs on her inaugural cruise to the Canary Islands on 30th January 2008.
Balmoral – named after the Queen’s summer residence in Aberdeenshire – was delivered to Royal Cruise Lines in 1988 by the shipyard Meyer Werft in Papenburg under the name Crown Odyssey. After the takeover of Royal Cruise Lines by Norwegian Cruise Lines 1989, the ship was renamed Norwegian Crown. In 2006, she was sold to Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. Subsequently, the cruise ship was chartered by Star Cruises/ Norwegian Cruise Lines until November 2007.
After the reconstruction at Blohm + Voss Repair, the cruise ship will resume its voyages under the name Balmoral.
Check out the latest offers on Fred Olsen Cruises with Hays Travel Cruise.
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